The winner is. . . .

The winner of the $10 Panera/Starbucks gift card is Lisa Blau.  Congratulations to Lisa!  A big thank you to everyone who entered and became a follower.  I really appreciate your time.  Please stop back as I will be talking about the blog that changed my life, summer activities, and my favorite yard sale homeschool finds. 
Enjoy the day!
Becky mom to 6

Ends today at noon! Starbucks or Panera Card Give-away

Drawing Wednesday April 27, 2011 around noon.

I became a mother  on Mother's Day on a tiny atoll in the middle of the Pacific Ocean.  They placed the most precious baby boy into  my arms at 3.5 weeks old.  I still remember that day with fondness that changed my entire life in a heartbeat.  (For longer version see below)
To celebrate Mother's Day  I thought it would be fun to have a tea/coffee give-away.  So though I can not send everyone a cup of tea, coffee, or some fabulous cold drink I would love to send one blog reader a $10 gift card to Panera or Starbucks. The winner chooses.

This is how you may enter the Ohio Homeschool  Mother's Day Contest.
Become a public follower of the Ohio Homeschool blog and write a comment telling me that you follow or have been following.

Please include a way for me to contact you if you should win with  your comment.  (Your email etc.)

If you would like to increase your probability of winning then you may also do any or all  the following in addition to becoming a public follower.

1. Reblog about the contest and leave a comment with a link to your post.
2. Repost this on Facebook and leave a comment to let me know.

3. Forward to a email loop or 3 friends and leave a comment to let me know. 

Happy Mother's Day. I will draw a winner on Wednesday April 27, 2011 around noon.
Good Luck!
Becky
mom to 6.

PS: To become a follower--Under "Thank you for following"   on the right hand side is a button that says  FOLLOW.  Click on that button and follow the steps to set up a Google account.  If you already have a Google account then use that one.  It will lead you through the steps. 

To post a comment click on the word "comments" or "post a comment"  under this post.  A new window will open.  Scroll down to the end and write "I am following" in the box with an email.  Follow the directions to post.  If you have have trouble please email me at ohiohomeschool@gmail.com for help.  I would be happy to post for you if you are a follower. 

My First Mother's Day

On Mother's Day 1999 we arrived in Majuro, Republic of the Marshall Islands.  The Marshall Islands consists of 29 atolls and 5 isolated islands.  This was the view from my plane window of Majuro.

I wondered how the 747 jet I was on was going to land on this atoll.

  My husband and I had desired to be parents for a long time.  We arrived at our hotel and waited.  I went down to grab something to eat at the Mother's Day buffet.  A lovely woman pushed a flower wut on my head and said, "Happy Mother's Day." 

Wearing the wut a few moments before I became a mom.

We waited in our room for them to bring our son.   We were in the middle of a tropical paradise, but I could only think of holding our new son.

Amazing view from our hotel room.  Atolls have ocean on one side and a lagoon on the other.  You are looking at the lagoon and can see the other side of the island.  The water was amazing shades of blue.

Finally there was a knock on the door and their our guide and birthmom stood holding one of the most adorable little boys I had ever seen.  I  remember trying to act casual and calm.  We invited them in and his birth mom asked me if I wanted to hold him?  I remember sitting there and being so overcome with emotion.

First time in my arms.

First Family Picture

Mother's Day had been a sad day for me in the past as I longed for children.  Now it really is my favorite holiday as it reminds me of how our family began.  I never dreamed I would be privileged enough to have 6 kids.

Happy Mother's Day!  

Becky proud mom of 6

Convention Finds

I love shopping and meeting people at the Midwest Homeschool Convention.  I love seeing old favorites and discovering new products.  These are a few of my favorite this year. I tried to choose some things that may be off the beaten path. 

Shatterpoint Entertainment has produced two movies involving LEGO®  parts and Bible stories that my children love!  Their second movie is Jericho: The Promise Fulfilled.  The Rondina family who produced the movie is a homeschool family.  My kids are crazy about this movie and now quote it around our home. The extras on the DVD are very interesting as it explains their journey into film making.  

I enjoyed looking around the Odyssey Learning Game booth.  What fabulous educational games. They carry one of my all time favorite games Set. (down the page 4th game on right hand side) They carry other favorites like Rush Hour. (8th down on left) I love playing games with my children that build thinking and math skills.

Another favorite I like to visit is the Little House Site Tours.  They organize site tours to the places from the Little House on the Prairie books.  They also sell DVDs  and books about the little house tours.  My daughter absolutely loves these.  They are very informative. 

Another family business is Virgina Soaps and Scents.  I have known about them for awhile, but really enjoyed seeing the family in person. Richelle Spargur, the owner,  shared with me that they are now putting their soap in boxes.  She said that is a big deal for a soap maker.   She also shared that they are putting a 2 story building behind their home to produce and sell soap.  Their family wants the kitchen back to smelling like a kitchen.  You have to love a homeschooling project that turned into a business.  I am a fan of the lavender soap currently.

Just a few things  I found to nourish the life long learner in me.
Enjoy!
Becky